It took you eons to choose a paint color – the perfect shade of green (“aloe”) – for your new bathroom addition.

Now you approach the paint desk at your hardware store, and the paint expert hits you with, “Would you like that in flat, eggshell or satin latex? Or would you like to try our new eco-friendly line of paints?” If the paint expert really knew how agonizing it was just to choose “aloe” over “julep,” he might hesitate to offer you another round of choices.

Choosing paint color is a matter of aesthetics and personal design choice, and is a highly subjective area. Thankfully, choosing paint by type is a little more objective, and only depends on the room you are painting. The following is a list of the types of paint available today, and what they are best suited for.

Paint Types

PrimerAlthough you can get away without using primer in a practical sense, primer is the ideal prepping surface for what is called the finish paint – the one that will showcase the color you worked so hard to choose. If you are painting a pastel over a bright color, primer is essential. If you are painting a latex paint over an oil-based paint, you cannot do without primer. There really are no “cons” to using a primer; you may feel it is a waste of time, but, in fact, you will be saving yourself time and the results will look better. All paint is like glue, but primer is designed to be extra sticky, to dry quickly and smooth, and to bond chemically with your finish paint if you recoat within 12 to 24 hours. Certain types of primers will hide stains and inhibit mildew. Using primer is generally less expensive than applying another coat of your finish paint. For additional coverage, choose paint primer at no additional cost tinted in the finish color you chose.

Oil Oil-based paints (also called “alkyd”) offer better coverage and overall durability; they also give a warm, rich look to the finish. You can easily wash an oil-based-paint covered surface, but touching up with paint later is not very effective. The biggest disadvantage to oil-based paints is the application process. Oil-based paint is difficult to work with because of its offensive odor, longer drying time, and need to clean up with turpentine. Choose paints in this family for cabinets and furniture, or to re-paint over old oil-based surfaces.

LatexThis family of paint is water-based, making drying time faster and clean-up easier. The odor is less offensive. Latex paint is not quite as durable as oil-based paint, but it performs very satisfactorily if the right sheen is chosen for the lifestyle of a particular room. Latex paint is generally less expensive than oil-based. It should be stored above freezing temperatures, and most types of latex should not be used on metal or new wood without the appropriate primer.

Tip: If you want to apply latex over an old coating of oil-based paint, use an oil-based primer first. If you do not, your latex will bubble up and crack almost immediately. Always sand the surface and clean it to remove dust before painting.

Eco-friendlyFresh to the market is a whole slew of eco-friendly paints, which are formulated with fewer (if any) harmful chemicals that release gases both on application, and in lower levels for years afterward. These chemicals are now commonly called VOCs, or volatile organic compounds. Although most people have the sense to leave the windows open for several days after applying paint, the problem with VOCs is that homes are constructed to be so air-tight that the leftover low levels of VOCs have no way to escape.

Eco-friendly paints range from low-VOC to zero-VOC levels. Their durability and coverage might be less reliable than traditional latex versions. They are currently more expensive than most other paints, ranging from a few dollars more per gallon to almost twice the price. They have enough merit to make a good choice for paint, and the price range offers enough flexibility that most people can choose a paint they can afford and live with.

Paint Sheens

FlatBy reflecting the least light, flat paint is effective at hiding uneven walls and other unwanted surface discrepancies. It is best used in low-traffic areas because it does not take to washing-up as well. A flat paint can be easily touched up when needed, so hold on to at least a quart after your finish the job. Use flat paint where you know stains will be less likely, such as ceilings, formal dining and living rooms, and adult bedrooms.

Eggshell Look at the surface of an egg. This might give you an idea of the results for this particular paint. In paint sheen terms, it hovers between flat and satin. Its wiping-up properties make it a better choice for living or family rooms, hallways, bedrooms and powder rooms.

Satin The next step up between eggshell and semi-gloss, this velvety finish holds up well in high-traffic areas and is considered the most versatile sheen. You can clean it or lightly scrub it successfully without compromising the look of the finish. Satin offers a very subtle gloss that is equally pleasing on trim or walls. Use it on doors, cabinets, molding and trim, as well as kids’ bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, garages, laundry rooms and stairway walls.

Semi-gloss This sheen performs well in wet environments, such as bathrooms, and on surfaces that need frequent or heavy scrubbing. Its sheen is glossy without looking wet. Consider it for a counter backsplash in the kitchen, bathroom walls, doors, trim and cabinets.

Glossy The higher the gloss, the better the paint holds up to moisture, and the easier it is to clean. Glossy and high-gloss paints can be used in areas of the home where grease and dirt will be a persistent problem, but semi-gloss is usually the better choice for home interiors. Use glossy paint on furniture or cabinets if you like an ultramodern or contemporary look.

Miscellaneous Tips to Choose Paint Successfully

* The glossier the paint sheen, the more it will reveal imperfections. Spend extra time prepping surfaces before you apply paint on the glossy end of the scale.

* Choose paint of higher quality to get better coverage. You may spend more per gallon, but you will save time by not having to apply extra coats.

* Some brands offer ceiling paints that go on in a pastel color, then change to white after about 24 hours. This affords you the convenience of seeing the difference between the old white and the new white as you paint.

Choosing paint by type does not have to be a mind-boggling decision. Measure each room in your house that you plan to paint, with each room figured separately. Decide which sheen you want for each room before you walk through the door (oil-based satin on the cabinets, latex eggshell in the hallway, etc.).

That way you can present your paint expert at the hardware store with the information he or she will need. Even if you are still vacillating between “bee’s nectar” and “siesta beach” for the hallway, you will know exactly what type of paint you need for each room of the house. And if you keep a file on your house of paint types by room, you will save yourself valuable time years down the road when you have to do it all over again.

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